Understanding China and Her Hatred of Opium

It is about 1839 or thereabouts. China is at a peak of its development (Qing Dyansty) and currently dealing with the British who are managing trade as well as expansion through contacts with the East India Company. There is a bit of an imbalance in trade with the British and the diplomatic Chinese are having a blast. After some skillful strategizing, the British manage to get their product into the Chinesae market fueling a war and a set of negotiations that cause a reversal of fortunes for the British and the change of the trade dynamics. A letter is sent to the reigning British Monarch which is ignored and misunderstood. The letter written by a representative from the Chinese government, expresses some of the Chinese displeasure over the current conditions and the trade in a comodity that is unwelcome by the Chinese. The letter is full of references to Chinese anger (penalties) and warnings and even suggestions reagarding other possiblities of trade (wheat,tea,rhubarb). The port of choice is no different from the current port and city (back then a central port of entry for ships and traders). The first war takes place lasting about a year and then takes place again later on in 1856 or thereabouts. This time there is French involvement and more casualties on the British side. There is also a fallout amongst the Rich and the Poor of China who have began to engage in Opium related activities. The changes in trade as well as other un-forseen circumstances are taken to be causes of the fall of a Dynasty and the resignation of a rather influential emperor. The troubles that arise in this corner of the world cannot be taken in isolation and much of what takes place here is repeated in other Monarchies as in Russia with the decline of the Romanov Dynasty. Even if revolutionary changes begin to take place in the region and other systems take their place, battles over history and significance will continue to rage in Faculties of History headed by modern day generals or professors. It is therefore no wonder that in the present day, Chinese disdain for drugs and Opium to be more precise is still as strong as it was almost 150 years ago. Maybe other countries need to understand the direct effects that this substance caused in the decline of a powerful dynasty and the traces of this defeat that are still alive in the Chinese Psyche.